Housing and budget
From finding a place to live to sorting your budget, banking, and currency – here’s everything you need to settle in and feel at home in Umeå.
Find your accommodation
It can be difficult to find housing in a new city and a new country. We're here to help you in the process of finding a student housing.
Student housing and accommodation
Arriving and moving in
If you are renting with the Umeå University Accommodation Service, please read about arriving and moving in before planning your arrival in Umeå.
Arriving and moving in
Cost of living
If you are applying for a residence permit, you must prove to the Swedish Migration Agency that you will have a guaranteed sum of money at your disposal throughout the entire period of your studies. The amount per month is set by the Migration Agency, and updated yearly. The sum for 2025 is SEK 10,584 per month.
Supporting yourself during your studies (Migration Agency)
Calculating your budget can be difficult and how much money you need depends on your lifestyle. At Study in Sweden, you will find examples of a student budget.
Cost of living in Sweden (Study in Sweden)
If you rent your accommodation through the Umeå University Accommodation Service, you will find information about rent at:
Housing Information
Financing your stay
We recommend that you have arranged your budget before you arrive in Umeå. Umeå University does not offer any financial aid of any kind so you will depend on your own funding.
The University has no support for helping students find part-time jobs.
Opening a bank account
Depending on how long you intend to stay in Sweden, the process of opening a bank account differs. If you will stay in Sweden for one year or longer, you can apply for a Swedish personal identity number, which makes the process a bit easier. To become a bank customer, you need to be able to identify yourself, and answer questions about why you want to open a bank account.
At Finance Sweden, you will find information about what the bank requires from you when you visit a bank branch:
Find out how to become a bank customer
Exchange currency
Foreign currency can be exchanged at the currency exchange office Forex. Regular banks do not process currency exchanges. Forex has an office in the Umeå city centre.
Find the local Umeå Forex office
Residence permit and visas
Everything you need to know about residence permits, visas, rules for working, and getting the right paperwork sorted before and after you arrive in Sweden.
EU/EEA citizens
As an EU/EEA citizen, you have the right to residency in Sweden and do not need to apply for a residence permit for studies.
Non-EU citizens
If you are going to study for a period longer than three months, you will need a residence permit. You can apply for a residence permit through the Swedish Migration Agency's webpage or send your application by post. If you apply online, the Migration Agency's processing is simplified.
Please note that you must be admitted to full-time studies (30 credits) in order to apply for a residence permit for studies. This applies to tuition fee-paying students, as well as exchange students from non-EU/EEA countries. If you are taking a programme, you will automatically be admitted to full-time studies.
Requirements and how to apply for a residence permit (Migration Agency)
Visas
Do you need a visa? For studies that are shorter than three months, citizens in certain countries must have an entry visa. If you are unsure whether you will need a visa to enter Sweden, you can consult the Swedish Government's list.
List of foreign citizens who require a visa for entry into Sweden (Government Offices of Sweden)
Swedish embassies and consulates (Embassy of Sweden)
Processing time for student permits
We urge you to apply for your residence permit or visa as soon as possible to allow enough time for your application to be processed.
Please note! If you have to pay tuition fees for your studies, this payment must have reached Umeå University before the Swedish Migration Agency will process your application.
Learn about waiting times (Migration Agency)
Work and study
You may be able to work over the same period as your student residence permit. The Swedish Migration Agency provides more information.
Working during your studies (Migration Agency)
Personal identity number
You will use it for everything – from dealing with government agencies to signing up for a phone subscription and gym memberships. It’s your official ID in Sweden!
What it's for and how to get it
If you have moved to Sweden and are planning to live here for one year or more, you are generally required to be registered in the Swedish Population Register. When you have been registered, you will be given a Swedish personal identity number.
The number is an identifier that, among other things, shows when you were born. The Swedish Tax Agency issues personal identity numbers, but you need to meet certain criteria.
Personal identity number (Swedish Tax Agency)
In order to get a Swedish personal identity number, you must report that you have moved to Sweden. You do this via a personal visit to one of the Swedish Tax Agency's service offices. What you need to bring depends on what citizenship you have. Your application can be filled in via the website and printed out to be taken to the service office.
Moving to Sweden (Swedish Tax Agency)
The service office in Umeå is located in the city centre at Sveagatan 12. They are open Monday to Friday, 10–16.
Find the Umeå service office through Google maps
Change from temporary identity number to a Swedish personal identity number
If you were not registered in the Swedish Population Register when admitted to studies, you will automatically be given a temporary identity number in the admissions system and in the study documentation system (Ladok). The studies you start and complete will be registered in Ladok under your temporary identity number.
If you later on get registered in the Swedish Population Register, you must apply for a change from your temporary identity number to the Swedish personal identity number in order to get your completed studies correctly registered in Ladok.
Update with information about your Swedish personal identitiy number in Ladok
Insurances
We recommend you to look over your insurance coverage before you arrive in Sweden. If the insurances below are not sufficient, you should take out your own insurance policy.
Personal injury insurance
International students are covered by a personal injury insurance policy. The insurance policy applies in Sweden and provides students with an accident cover during study hours, and direct travel in between the university and the student's home.
Personal injury insurance (Kammarkollegiet)
Exchange students (Student IN)
Student IN provides exchange students with insurance cover twenty-four hours a day in Sweden. "Exchange student" means a student who studies in Sweden in accordance with an exchange or acceptance agreement between the Swedish educational institution and a foreign educational institution. Please note that the insurance is only valid in Sweden, not if you are travelling abroad (outside of your studies).
Tuition fee-paying students (FAS Plus)
FAS Plus provides cover to all foreign students who are accepted to, and undertake, higher education at the higher education institution and who pay fees for the education. The insurance also provides coverage for students who have been granted scholarships. Please note that the insurance is only valid in Sweden, not if you are travelling abroad (outside of your studies).
European Health Insurance Card
All EU citizens should make sure that they bring a European Health Insurance card. If you have the card, you can prove that you are entitled to certain medical and dental care at the same cost as at home.
Home insurance
We advise you to purchase home or renter's insurance for your stay in Umeå. If something is stolen from your room, or if your or your landlord's property is damaged/lost during your rental period, you are responsible for covering the repair or replacement costs. If you have a home insurance in your home country, make sure that you are still covered during the time that you are in Sweden.
Health care and emergencies
Find out where to turn for medical help, emergencies, prescriptions, and police contact below. We also provide some tips on staying healthy and bringing medicines when coming to Sweden.
In case of emergency
Sweden uses the European SOS number 112. In case of emergency, you can call this number for assistance from the Police, the Fire Service or hospital/ambulance.
The emergency room is located under the helicopter pad at the University Hospital of Umeå. From the central entrance, follow the signs to "Akutmottagningen," which are marked with the red cross symbol.
Medical advice line
If you need medical advice, there is a helpline you can call. Phone 1177 (from a Swedish telephone number) or +46 771-11 77 00 (from an international phone number). You have to pay regular phone tariffs for the call, but the service itself is free.
Primary care emergency service in Umeå
The primary care emergency service is located at Ålidhem's healthcare centre. If you fall ill in the night or at the weekend, call 1177 and you will be given advice and recommendations on where to turn.
Ålidem's healthcare centre (Google maps)
Health centres
A health centre is where you go if you need to see a doctor or nurse. Health centres for the main student housing areas are situated in Ålidhem and in Mariehem. You always need to call in advance and book an appointment.
Learn more about Swedish healthcare (1177.se)
Use the search function on 1177 to find your nearest health centre. Choose "Nära mig" (Near me) in the filter to find your closest health centre.
Find your nearest health centre (1177.se)
Student Health Service
The Student Health Service works with health promotion and prevention for students at Umeå University and at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences in Umeå. At the Student Health Service you can get support in matters relating to your physical, mental and psychosocial health situation. All their services are free of charge and they observe confidentiality. Please note that there is no doctor working at the Student Health Service.
Student Health Service
Dental care
There are several public and private dentistry clinics in Umeå. The closest one to campus is situated in the University Hospital of Umeå in connection with the Dentistry School. If you agree to receive treatment from a supervised dentistry student, you can get cheaper treatment.
Pharmacy
In Sweden, you have to go to a pharmacy to get all prescription and most non-prescription medication. Sweden is quite restrictive when it comes to medicinal drugs and you will need a prescription to buy a lot of the medication that you might be able to buy without a prescription in other countries. Some non-prescription medications can be bought in supermarkets, convenience stores and gas stations as well. Most health centres have a pharmacy and the University Hospital of Umeå close to Campus Umeå has a pharmacy with generous opening hours.
Travelling to Sweden with medicines
When travelling to Sweden, you can take your medicines with you as long as they are for you or your accompanying pet, and you need them for medical reasons.
When travelling to Sweden, the amount of medicines you can take with you are regulated. Stricter rules apply to medicinal products containing narcotic or doping substances. Examples of medicinal products classified as narcotics are some categories of sleeping pills, pain killers and ADHD medicines. The rules differ depending on if you are travelling from a country within the EEA (European Economic Area) or outside the EEA.
More detailed information from the Swedish Medical Products Agency
Contacting the Police
The Police station can be found at Signalvägen 12, which is just west of the centre of town nearby the Nolia exhibition hall. If you need to report a crime or loss of property, and it is not an emergency, you can call the national number for the police 114 14.
The Swedish Police
Travel to Umeå and local transportation
Getting to Umeå is a breeze – whether you take the train, airplane, hop on a bus, or drive. Once you're here, your bike will quickly become your best friend!
Airplane
Umeå Airport is located only a few kilometres from Umeå University. From there, take the airport shuttle (bus no. 80) to downtown Umeå, then switch bus to one that goes to the University to get to Campus Umeå. The nearest stops are "Umeå universitetssjukhus" (most buses) or "Universum" (bus no. 2, 5, 8 or 9). Ask the bus driver for help if needed.
The bus from the airport leaves every 15 minutes during peak traffic time. The trip to downtown Umeå takes around 10 minutes and another 10 minutes from there to Campus Umeå.
Airport shuttle
Bus
There are several buses servicing Umeå every day. Y-buss takes you from Stockholm to Umeå, the trip takes around nine hours. When the bus reaches Umeå, it will stop in the city centre, a few kilometres from the University, and then continue to the University Hospital of Umeå with a last stop Umeå Ålidhöjd, Tvistevägen, about 200 meters from Ålidhem Centrum.
The main bus stop for local buses in Umeå is called Vasaplan, which is within walking distance from the main bus station. From Vasaplan, it is easy to take a local bus to the University's Campus Umeå.
The trip takes about 10 minutes and you can get off the bus at "Umeå Universitetssjukhuset" (University Hospital) or "Universum".
Please note! Cash is not accepted on buses.
You can pay with most credit/debit cards, through an app or buy a ticket at Reseinfo – Travel information and retailers. For more information about which cards are accepted, go to: Where can I buy tickets?
Umeå city buses
Bicycles
Bicycles can be used all year round because there is a very good network of bicycle tracks all over the city. If you do not want to buy a new bicycle, there are used ones at reasonable prices at bicycle shops around Umeå.
It can also be useful to check the online notice boards, Blocket (only available in Swedish), and local advertisements on the internet, local Facebook groups or such.
Please be aware that trains and buses in Sweden do not generally allow bikes, so check with the service provider before taking your own bike to Sweden.
Trains
There are two train stations in Umeå; Umeå C and Umeå Östra. The train station closest to campus, Umeå Östra, is located on the opposite side of the main entrance to the University Hospital of Umeå with only a few minutes walking distance to Campus Umeå.
The two main railway companies are:
SJ
Norrtåg
Study-related information
The student website is your best friend once you are a student at Umeå University with lots of useful information and links to guide you through your studies with us.
The student website
You can find information about the most common study-related questions on the student website, such as what the UMU ID and UMU card are, how to find your schedule and campus maps.
Learn how the student website works
Academic calendar
In our academic calendar, you can find information about when the autumn and spring semesters start and end, as well as when public holidays occur in Sweden.
Academic calendar
Studying with a disability
At Umeå University, we offer different kinds of individual support if you have a disability. The aim of the support is to ensure that you can pursue your studies under the same conditions as your peers.
Study with disabilities
Social life
Make new friends, explore Swedish culture, join student groups, enjoy the outdoors, and feel at home through orientation events, the Buddy Programme, and more!
Take part in the Orientation
The Orientation consists of a series of lectures and activities that are designed to help you become acquainted with life in Umeå and studies at our university. We strongly recommend that you take part in the Orientation.
Orientation for new international students
Join the Buddy Programme
The Buddy Programme provides a helping hand as you settle down and get to know student life. Buddies are students at Umeå University who volunteer to introduce you to the Swedish way of life. As a participant in the Buddy Programme, you will be part of a buddy group that consists of approximately 8–10 buddies and 25–30 international students. The Buddy Programme involves the possibility to participate in a variety of fun social activities, for example sports, parties and travel, or just having a cup of coffee with your group members.
How do I apply?
Up until the first day of the semester, it is recommended that you apply for the Buddy Programme by filling out the Buddy Programme application form.
If you want to apply thereafter, you need to send an email to buddy@umu.se.
Religion
Religious organisations on campus
Kyrkan på Campus (University Chaplaincy), is available for both students and staff regardless of religious beliefs or philosophy. They are bound by professional secrecy and all counselling is free of charge.
Religious organisations and places of worship in Umeå
There are a wide variety of churches and congregations with different denominations throughout Umeå. Most of them can be found through the municipal online organisation register (in Swedish).
Multi-faith space and Tranquility room
Campus Umeå offers the Multi-faith space and the Tranquility room as drop-in and bookable spaces for those who need a moment of stillness or wish to pray, meditate or take part in a service – alone or together. The rooms are open to both students and staff regardless of faith or religious belief.
Multi-faith space and Tranquility room
Student unions and associations
There are three student unions and a large number of student associations at Umeå University.
The goal of the student unions at Umeå University is to make sure that you – our students – have an influence over your studies and your study situation.
There are student associations that focus on specific topics or interests, such as theatre or politics, but also student associations that focus on a specific programme or course.
Student unions and associations
Enjoying nature
In Umeå, there are endless possibilities to be outdoors and enjoy the nature together with others.
At Fritidsbanken in Ålidhem you can borrow equipment for skiing, skating, camping and much more. Search for Umeå on the website and you will find equipment available to rent for free.
On the Visit Umeå website, you can find plenty of tips about beautiful places to go and what to see and do in Umeå and its surroundings.
Groceries and other items
Of course, you will need to eat too – and hopefully you will get to enjoy some tasty local specialties without breaking the budget.
How do I find the nearest grocery store?
Mariehemsvägen:
- Ica Kvantum at Mariehemsvägen 8
- Coop at Mariehemsvägen 7C
Rullstensgatan:
- Ica Kvantum at Mariehemsvägen 8
Axtorpsvägen:
- Ica Nära at Axtorpsvägen 30
Ålidhem centre, Ekonomstråket 1:
- Ica Supermarket
- Coop Konsum
- Lidl
- Oriental food shop
Large grocery stores (Supermarkets):
- Coop Forum Ersboda, Formvägen 4, bus no. 2
- Willy’s Ersboda, Gräddvägen 1, bus no. 8
- Maxi Ica Stormarknad, Strömpilsplatsen 41, bus no. 5.
Where do I buy a SIM card?
You can buy a SIM card at any phone house in the city centre e.g. Telia, Phone House, the kiosk Pressbyrån at Vasaplan, and also at Ica Supermarket in Ålidhem.
Umeå, Sweden and the Swedes
Before you land in northern Sweden’s #1 student city, here are some handy tips and fun facts to help you hit the ground running!
Climate and seasons
There is an old Scandinavian proverb that you will probably come across: "There is no bad weather, only bad clothing". It means that the climate in Sweden is nothing to worry about as long as you dress for it!
Sweden is located so far north in Europe that the Arctic Circle slices through its northernmost province, Lapland. Thanks to the warm Gulf Stream in the Atlantic, Sweden is not an arctic country. The difference between the southern and northern parts of Sweden is marginal during the summer, but greater during the other seasons. Umeå has four distinct seasons which means there is something for everyone.
Northern Sweden is covered by snow between December and March/April. Summer usually lasts from June to August with an average temperature of 17 °C.
The climate that we live in is not new to our part of the world and therefore we build our houses accordingly. All the buildings, whether they are private residences or public buildings, are well insulated and have central heating. This means that even when it is below zero outside, the temperature inside is maintained within the recommended range of 18–22 °C.
The Northern lights
Aurora Borealis, or more commonly the Northern lights, is a natural light display in the sky that is visible particularly in the high latitude (Arctic and Antarctic) regions. The Northern lights are most often red, green, or purple in colour and last anywhere from a few minutes to several hours.
In Sweden, the Northern lights usually occur during the winter months through to late March or early April. Your best chance of catching a glimpse of the Northern lights is on cold winter nights when the sky is clear and dark with little to no moonlight.
Midwinter darkness and the midnight sun
Due to Umeå's location, the number of daylight hours varies greatly between winter and summer. December is the darkest month with daylight that lasts only around 4.5 hours. In contrast, the sun only sets for 3.5 hours in June. By travelling a little further north, you can even experience the midnight sun.
Time
Swedes are usually very punctual. If you want to be like a Swede, it is better to arrive five minutes early than five minutes late. The exception from the rule is the academic quarter (akademisk kvart) that only exists in the university sphere. Lectures that are said to start on the hour (10 a.m.) actually start fifteen minutes later (10:15 am), unless it is an exam or if the time is stated as 10:00 sharp.
Social life
The saying is that Swedes are reserved and difficult to get to know. This is true to some extent, but foreigners do make comments about the Umeå population being both friendly and eager to help if you take the first step and approach them. Student activities, the Buddy Programme and the people in your corridor will hopefully provide you with plenty of opportunities to break the ice and to make new friends.
Religion
Even though Sweden is officially a Lutheran (Protestant/Christian) country, the Swedish people are generally not very religious. It is not so common for Swedes to regularly attend church services or take an active part in a congregation. However, Swedes have not left the church altogether. Weddings and funerals are still commonly held in church and many people still baptise their children.
Dining out and picking up the tab
The concept of picking up the tab is an unknown phenomenon in Sweden. The bill is divided after what and how much you ate or drank.
When eating out in Sweden, it is common to round up to the nearest big number. For example if your bill comes to SEK 280, you can round up to SEK 300. Sometimes a service charge is included in the bill, but this will be clearly stated on the bill.
Giving a couple of kronor extra is a nice way of saying thanks for friendly service. However, even if you choose not to leave a tip, it’s highly unlikely anyone would be offended.
Have you decided to tip but are unsure of the amount?
A generous tip (and one that is pretty easy to calculate) is to add 10% of the final bill.
Queues and lines
Swedes are known to be law abiding and fairly fond of standing in lines. Whenever waiting is involved; at cinemas, paying in a shop, in the library and so on, you will be expected to wait in line, or take a ticket from a number dispenser.
Arms-length distance
This is the distance Swedish people normally stand apart from each other when talking. Swedes are quite reserved about personal space and if you get too close, you will probably see that the Swede will start to back off. Do not feel offended by this, as it is just normal for Swedes to keep some distance between each other.
Taking your shoes off
When you enter someone's house or apartment, you will have to take your outdoor shoes off at the entrance. It is normal to walk around in your socks, even at someone else's house.
Right of Public Access
The Scandinavian rule of the Right of Public Access (Allemansrätten) provides everyone with the right of access to privately owned land (provided they abide by the rules), and thus to the pleasures of the forests and countryside from one end of Sweden to the other.
However, this is a right that also brings responsibilities. If the right of public access is to work, we all need to be responsible for how we act when we are out in nature, and to take care not to disturb and to damage it. Do not damage bushes, cut down trees or leave garbage behind you.
Remember that the Right of Public Access lets you walk around on other people's property, but that does not involve their garden.
Find out what the Right of Public Access involves (Swedish Environmental Protection Agency)
Public holidays
No teaching and classes are usually planned for public holidays or equivalent days. The exact dates for classes during these days can vary under certain circumstances. Please make sure to check with the programme or department to confirm your exact schedule.
Fun fact: If you look at a Swedish calendar, you will notice that all Sundays and holidays are written in red, which is why they are sometimes referred to as "red days" (röda dagar).
Find term times and public holidays in the academic calendar